Oukan Dining

Fine japanese vegan cooking that is as equally pleasing to the mouth, eyes and soul. Highly recommended.Restaurateur Huy Thong’s busy vegan fast-food eatery Ryong on Torstraße couldn’t be further away from this latest endeavour of his: Based on zen buddhist shōjin ryōri cooking philosophy, chef Martin Müller and his crew craft beautiful and tasty vegan plates from mainly local and seasonal ingredients. The sophisticated and astoundingly beautiful dining room (in a former ballroom, tucked away in the back of a quiet hinterhof) acts as a serene backdrop to the dishes. It’s hard to imagine you are a minute away from the busy Invalidenstraße. The service is low-key, classy and unfussy. The wine list is centered around quality Rieslings from the Pfalz - and sake. Oukan Dining’s ”tea sommelier” has also created an interesting tea-pairing option for those who wish to have an alcohol-free experience. The restaurant serves a 7-course and a 3-course pice fixe -menus, which can be supplemented with restaurant’s staples, such as potato millefeuille with truffle (not very japanese, I guess, but a great umami-boost to the gently spiced dinner) and lightly smoked, deep fried mushrooms with cauliflower. Oukan Dining is a welcome addition to the narrow high end of vegan/vegetarian dining in Berlin, populated previously by Cookies Cream, Kopps and - possibly - Frea.